President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced a strengthened partnership between the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to harness space technology for national development and disaster resilience.
The announcement came during the President’s business mission to Osaka, Japan, where he met with top JAXA officials on June 20. The four-day working visit, held from June 19 to 22, aims to deepen economic and technological cooperation between the Philippines and Japan.
“We’re working with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), together with our very own Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), to use space technology that helps protect and improve the lives of Filipinos,” President Marcos said in an official statement.
He emphasized that enhanced satellite capabilities will allow the country to better monitor typhoons, improve disaster response, support agricultural planning, and ensure public safety.
JAXA has long been a trusted partner of the Philippines in advancing space science and technology. Through the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), JAXA and Japanese academic institutions collaborated with Filipino scientists in the successful development and launch of pioneering space assets such as DIWATA-1, DIWATA-2, and the MAYA nanosatellites—marking significant milestones in the country’s growing space capabilities.
Founded in 2003, JAXA is Japan’s national space agency tasked with leading research, development, and innovation in space and aeronautics. Since becoming a national research and development agency in 2015, JAXA has emphasized international partnerships and the promotion of science through cooperation with government bodies, academia, and industry stakeholders.
This renewed cooperation is expected to bolster the Philippines’ efforts in using space technology to address critical challenges such as climate change, food security, and disaster preparedness, while also opening new opportunities in research, education, and innovation.
